Webster's doesn't define me coming on board as a mod here eight or nine years ago, because that's not how a dictionary works. At some point, many of my beloved old colleagues left, after which I had the pleasure to work with a new team of fantastic people: AQB24712, DG, Rai and The Irreverend. [EDIT:] And of course the often unsung (by me, dickhead that I am) heroes of the tech team: Belgarath, The Latinist and Wastrel. Together with them, I had the privilege to keep an eye on a place where interesting discussion and spirited debate can be found, and to ensure that it is, in spite of the occasional hiccup, a decent spot to hang out in for many.

The biggest part of what makes this forum are you, its members. I would like to thank you all for your support, your patience and your thought-provoking posts.

I should probably have led with this, but I'm leaving you. No, let me get this out: it's not you, it's me. Things have changed. I'm really busy at work. There's no other forum, there really isn't. No other forum could ever touch me like you touched me, but you know things haven't been the same between us, baby.

Because the endless cycle of death and rebirth lies at the very core of what makes this pagan hive of ours tick, another will profit from my passing. That other is Harry Black, whom you know and love, and who has, graciously and avariciously, taken up the Banhammer of State, swearing to wield it justly against those who trespass on The Rules a bunch of times and don't wise up after a suspension. And to bask in the attentions of our hordes of groupies. For he is mod - mod, mod mod. I'm confident that he'll do great.

My star shines way too brightly to fade into obscurity completely (I've had it bleached), so I'll probably pop in every once in a while as a civilian. I'll sit in the shade with the other old men, drink coffee and bitch about how things just aren't the same.

I expect to pass through this world but once;any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now;let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.-- Stephan Grellet